Today is Holy Saturday and is a time of holy waiting, a time to trust, a time to rest.
Here is Saturday, the space between the death and the resurrection of Christ. It is here that we are asked to keep vigil. and wait in the dark as the whole world is waiting for answers and an end to this crisis. This very place at the tomb Jesus comes to meet us just as He did with the faithful women . May you each receive the fullness of God's presence during this day as you await Easter Morning. BLESSINGS of peace and joy to you in the waiting! To prepare yourself be in Silence and just Breathe as you read the scripture below. PSALM 46:1-4 1 God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble--more than enough and always available whenever I need you. 2 So we will never fear even if every structure of support were to crumble away. We will not fear even when the earth quakes and shakes, moving mountains and casting them into the sea. 3 For the raging roar of stormy winds and crashing waves cannot erode our faith in you. Pause in his presence 4 God has a constantly flowing river whose sparkling streams bring joy and delight to his people. His river flows right through the city of God Most High, into his holy dwelling places. Matthew 28:1-10 After the Sabbath ended, at the first light of dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary[a] went to take a look at the tomb. 2–4 Suddenly, the earth shook violently beneath their feet as the angel of the Lord Jehovah[b] descended from heaven. Lightning flashed around him and his robe was dazzling white! The guards were stunned and terrified—lying motionless like dead men. Then the angel walked up to the tomb, rolled away the stone, and sat on top of it! 5 The women were breathless and terrified, until the angel said to them, “There’s no reason to be afraid. I know you’re here looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here—he has risen victoriously,just as he said! Come inside the tomb and see the place where our Lord was lying. 7 Then run and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead! I give you his message: “I am going ahead of you in Galilee and you will see me there.” 8 They rushed quickly to tell his disciples, and their hearts were deep in wonder and filled with great joy. 9 Along the way, Jesus suddenly appeared in front of them and said, “Rejoice!”They were so overwhelmed by seeing him that they bowed down and grasped his feet in adoring worship. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Throw off all your fears. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. They will find me there.” QUESTIONS TO PONDER: Where do I meet Jesus in this dark holding time? What fears do I need to tell him about and trust him in ? What sorrows or losses will I surrender to His love that heals me? POEM-ON THE WAY “On the way to grieve at the tomb we wait on the way to hold our damaged dreams to go back and rest On the way spices simmer there the scent of adoration the scent of waiting in forced rest no answer, nor a resolution given do we find here, only waiting on the way Jesus meets us on the way from fear to revelation on the way to proclamation on a mission we believe what was told us there on the way” Now just be with Jesus in the music of the song below and receive His appearing to you. What does He look like and what does He say to you? Song: The Olive Grove We are taking each day to be with Jesus this week leading up to Christ’s resurrection on Easter.
Settle and still yourself by whatever means you find effective to give your full attention to the stirrings within you from the presence of the Holy Spirit. A few deep breaths to calm your body and soul may be helpful to prepare yourself. SCRIPTURE READING JOHN 19:17-42 SONG: Center of all History GOOD FRIDAY This is our final day of Holy Week Meditations and it is the day we remember the death of Christ on the cross. Scripture tells us to take up our cross daily so it is not something we ever forget. The work on the cross is what calls us into an abundant life and connection with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It is at the foot of the cross we sit today and enter the story along with the others that were actually present at that time and place. Use your imagination, the one God has given you, to be there at the scene beyond what has been portrayed through the movies and paintings you have viewed. As you read the following scriptures ask yourself these questions. What are the surroundings like that you see there? Where are you in the scene and who might you be? What do you hear and what do you feel? How do you respond? CLOSING SONG: Olive Grove In addition to today's meditation I have included the stations of the cross, a devotional from Soul Shepherding. If you have never gone through the stations before I would encourage you to choose one or all that take you deeper into the journey for Easter. Read the introduction first to help you understand this tradition. A digital Guide to the stations of the Cross https://unforsakenguide.com/introduction/ Blessings!
Here we are on Holy Thursday which in many churches is traditionally known as the last supper and a foot washing ceremony is held. I was not raised in the church nor did I witness this ceremony until I became a christian in my mid teens. I thought this was a pretty strange tradition and surely I did not want to uncover my feet for some stranger to touch them let alone wash them. It take as a lot of humility to be in this place of vulnerability. It is not a practice we see in our culture today but it was the common practice at the time of Christ. It was practiced in every household though by the hired servant to perform when anyone would enter the house. I wonder what the disciples must have felt like to have Jesus, their teacher, the Messiah to take on this role of a servant. Remember too that it was just a few days ago that Mary of Bethany displayed the same custom with an intimate act of touching Jesus' feet with own her costly perfume and the strands of her own hair. Settle and still yourself by whatever means you find effective to give your full attention to the stirrings within you from the presence of the Holy Spirit. A few deep breaths to calm your body and soul may be helpful to prepare yourself. TODAY we will be at the Lord's Supper where Jesus shows us what true servant hood really is. As you read the passage ask the Holy Spirit to give you fresh eyes to see and ears to hear through this powerful act of Jesus as he washes the disciples feet. SCRIPTURE: Take note of where you are in the scene and what you hear spoken directly to you. John 13:1-17 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/… SONG: Remember https://www.youtube.com/watch… Now contemplate, (spend time gazing at) the painting below by Sieger Koder. “Jesus washes Peter’s feet” (Second Photo) Holy Thursday Meditation https://www.facebook.com/cambriavineyard/videos/294869731481719/ We are taking each day to be with Jesus this holy week leading up to Christ’s resurrection on Easter.
Settle and still yourself by whatever means you find effective to give your full attention to the stirrings within you from the presence of the Holy Spirit. A few deep breaths to calm your body and soul may be helpful to prepare yourself. Today we enter the time and place with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. We will not be using many words but experience this time through the songs and scriptures. Be blessed! SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 14:33-42 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/… SONG: Watch and Pray https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHlvkGh9-cU&feature=youtu.be As you read the passage notice what captures your heart the most. Then just be there with Jesus as you listen to the next song, watch and pray. SONG: Stay with Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCr2tn4yYKY&feature=youtu.be Journal anything that you felt or heard during this time as a response in prayer. We are taking each day to be with Jesus this week leading up to Christ’s resurrection that we celebrate on Easter.
Spend some quiet time with the passage each day. Settle and still yourself by whatever means you find effective to give your full attention to the stirrings within you from the presence of the Holy Spirit. A few deep breaths to calm your body and soul may be helpful to prepare yourself. May you grow in the compassion of our Lord as you are with Him on this journey to the cross.May you discover how to follow Him more nearly in the way of Love and receive the love He has freely given His life for. SCRIPTURE READING: John 13:21-38 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/… SONG: https://youtu.be/HZdEfPHQyVQ Be with Jesus there at the table where He and his friends are sharing a meal together. What does it feel like to be there and hear the words that Jesus speaks? What strikes you in the heart? Talk to Jesus about anything that you are feeling and thinking right now. Know that His love covers all and that He forgives and accepts you as you are. What kind of response will you give back to this Love ? PRAYER of Response “Oh God, My heart desires to love you more yet I know that I am weak and will turn away from you at times, Forgive me for this wandering and help me to draw close to you and not run away from your love. Help me in my weakness and give me strength.” “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. 2 Cor. 12:9 Anointing His Feet
PASSAGE: John 12:1-11 The Message https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/… SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV2Ng16KImw As you read the passage what word or phrase has touched your heart? What would it have been like for you to be at the house of lazarus with Martha and Mary? See Mary as she anoints the feet of Jesus, the very feet that would soon be pierced upon the cross. Imagine the fragrance of the perfume as it fills the room. This all takes place after the raising of Lazarus and before the triumphal entry celebrated on Palm Sunday. I wonder how long this costly perfume’s scent would have lasted? Would the crowds have caught a whiff of this fragrance as Jesus enters Jerusalem? I see here many conflicts of interest, fears and accusations from Judas and the religious leaders. What strikes me the most is the commitment and sacrifice that Mary makes as she takes her alabaster jar containing a year's worth of wages to be broken and poured out upon her Lord. She holds nothing back in this prophetic act of sacrifice just as Jesus will give His all for us through His broken body on the cross. Spend some time reflecting on this act of love by Mary and what God is asking of you this week. How can you be broken and poured out for Jesus? What is capturing your attention right now that is taking away from your devotion to Him? Are there any conflicts of interest in your own soul , fears or worries? Bring them to Him now to talk about and receive the grace He desires to give you. Rest in the knowledge that God is with you this day and desires to fill your home with the sweet fragrance of His presence. To learn more about the perfume: https://www.theperfumechronicles.com/overviews-articles/nard |